According to Marca, Tchouameni made his debut in the 2024-25 season against Inter Milan. Prior to this, Mourinho had been unable to use the French international, who suffered an injury after the World Cup and has only recently returned to Real Madrid. Having missed preseason and the start of the league campaign, the defensive midfielder came off the bench in the closing stages of the match against Inter Milan, helping to stabilize the situation and secure a crucial win that maintained Real Madrid's strong start in European competition.
Tchouameni entered at the Bernabéu, replacing Ardila. Due to suspensions of Güler, Bellingham, and Camavinga, Mourinho deployed Arnold in midfield. This experiment proved unsuccessful, prompting Mourinho to introduce a more specialist defensive midfielder.
This approach is likely to continue in upcoming matches. While Tchouameni is not yet ready for a starting role, he can already make an impact, particularly in demanding situations like the Inter Milan clash, where the Italian side repeatedly pressed Real Madrid's defense before ultimately falling short.
From Mourinho and his coaching staff's perspective, Tchouameni's gradual integration is excellent news for the team's balance. Previously, the squad lacked a true defensive midfielder in the double pivot position. Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga all have different skill sets and are naturally more attack-oriented than the former Monaco player. Once he fully regains his fitness and peak condition, the team expects him to bring much-needed stability to midfield.
It is only a matter of time before Tchouameni becomes a regular starter under Mourinho. With his addition, the coach will have four midfielders with distinct characteristics to choose from when constructing the double pivot that has become the team's hallmark. Tchouameni is the strongest defender and most physically imposing; Bellingham is the most creative; Valverde excels in running and intensity; and Camavinga is the most aggressive presser.
Going forward, Tchouameni will gradually assume a starting role under Mourinho. The coach now also has Piric as an option, a player with excellent coverage. Güler will continue to operate in a more advanced position for now, giving Mourinho five viable options to navigate the season. Some questions regarding the team's creativity remain, and these will only be fully answered once all injured players have returned to full fitness.
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